Electronic cigarette having multiple ports

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette having multiple ports within a filter portion of the electronic cigarette. The ports may be elongated slits or small circular holes positioned proximate a center point of the filter portion or positioned proximate an outer perimeter of the filter portion of the electronic cigarette. The plurality of ports helps to diffuse and volumize the vapor inhaled by the user from within the body of the electronic cigarette.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application SerialNo. 61/827,455 titled ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE HAVING MULTIPLE PORTS, whichwas filed by Mark Scatterday on May 24, 2013. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/455,721titled ORNAMENTAL DESIGN FOR AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE HAVING MULTIPLEPORTS, which was filed by Mark Scatterday on May 23, 2013 and to whichpriority is claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This provisional disclosure generally relates to alternative smokingdevices, and more particularly, to an electronic cigarette.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DESCRIPTION OFTHE DISCLOSURE. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a configuration ofan electronic cigarette is presented. The disclosure presents anelectronic cigarette having multiple ports.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, anelectronic cigarette is presented. The electronic cigarette comprises:an electronic cigarette having: a body containing internal components ofthe electronic cigarette; a filter portion coupled to a proximal end ofthe body; an end piece coupled to a distal end of the body; and aplurality of ports defined by the filter portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, anelectronic cigarette is presented. The electronic cigarette comprises: abody containing internal components of the electronic cigarette; afilter portion coupled to a proximal end of the body; an end piececoupled to a distal end of the body; and a plurality of ports defined bythe filter portion; wherein the plurality of ports together form acircular pattern on the filter portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, anelectronic cigarette is presented. The electronic cigarette comprises: abody containing internal components of the electronic cigarette; afilter portion coupled to a proximal end of the body; an end piececoupled to a distal end of the body; and a plurality of ports defined bythe filter portion; wherein the plurality of ports are adapted todiffuse and volumize vapor inhaled from the body of the electroniccigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. Thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figurescan be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest ofclarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as apreferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbe best understood by reference to the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette having multipleports in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The electronic cigarette is shown having three elongatedports within the filter portion;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the electronic cigarette having multipleports of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the electronic cigarette having multipleports of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the electronic cigarette having multipleports of FIG. 1, showing an end piece of the electronic cigarette forsimulating the ash tip of a traditional cigarette;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the electronic cigarette having multiple portsof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette having multipleports in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The electronic cigarette is shown having a plurality of smallports within the filter portion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette having multipleports in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The electronic cigarette is shown having three elongatedports within the filter portion that are positioned close to an outerperimeter of the filter;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the electronic cigarette having multiple portsof FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette having multipleports in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The electronic cigarette is shown having a plurality of smallports within the filter portion that are positioned close to an outerperimeter of the filter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawingsis intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of thedisclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which thepresent disclosure can be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments.It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functionsand sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure.

Prior art electronic cigarettes can include a number of componentsconsisting of a power source such as a battery, vaporizing unit, and aunit containing liquid that contains nicotine. The battery can be apre-charged, disposable type of device that is not rechargeable or,alternatively, a rechargeable battery. Upon inhalation, negativepressure causes a sensor to activate the vaporizing unit, which thencauses the liquid to vaporize, permitting it to be inhaled through anend of the electronic cigarette. When used, the tip of the device canlight up simulating the effects of a traditional cigarette. It should beclearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the useof alternative configurations of the internal components.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, an electronic cigarette 10 having multiple ports16 is shown. The electronic cigarette 10 may comprise a body/conduit 18,internal components of the electronic cigarette 10 (e.g. the vaporizer,battery, liquid source, integrated circuit, and light source) that arepositioned within the body 18, and an end piece 14. The internalcomponents may have an outside diameter slightly less than an insidediameter of the body 18 which would allow the internal components to beheld in place by the friction that is created between the outer surfaceof the internal components and the inner surface of the body 18. Forexample, if the body 18 has an inside diameter of about 6 mm, then theoutside diameter of the internal components would be slightly less than6 mm. The ports 16 together act as a diffuser; i.e. instead of having auser receive a concentration of vapor at one point (as the user wouldwith a typical electronic cigarette), the ports 16 diffuse and volumizethe vapor. FIGS. 1-4 show an electronic cigarette 10 having a body 18, afilter portion 12 at a proximal end of the body 18, and having an endpiece 14 at a distal end of the body 18. Preferably, the end piece 14 isconfigured to simulate the ash tip of a traditional cigarette.Furthermore, the body 18 of the electronic cigarette 10 is alsopreferably configured to simulate the tobacco paper and filter of atraditional cigarette.

As shown, the ports 16 are defined by the filter portion 12 and allowvapor to pass from the inside of the body 18 of the electronic cigarette10, through the ports 16 and out into the user's mouth. As shown in thefigures, the ports 16 together may form a circular pattern on the filterportion 12. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,the filter 12 of the electronic cigarette 10 may have a plurality ofports 16 a (referred to generically as ports 16) that are elongatedslits (see FIGS. 1, 5, 7 and 8). The ports 16 a may be equally spacedapart. Although the ports 16 a are shown as being slightly curved, itshould be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derivedfrom the ports 16 a having a substantially straight configuration. Inone embodiment for example, where the filter portion 12 may have adiameter of approximately 8.0 mm, the ports 16 a may be approximately2.0 in length; although it should also be clearly understood that theports 16 a may be shorter or longer in length. In one embodiment, theports 16 a may have a width of approximately 0.50 mm; however is shouldbe clearly understood that the ports 16 a may be wider or narrower. Andthe ports 16 a may each be positioned approximately 2.0 mm from thecenter point of the filter portion 12; although it should be clear thatsubstantial benefit may be derived from the ports 16 a being positionedcloser or further away from the center point of the filter portion 12.Furthermore, it should also be clearly understood that although theelectronic cigarette 10 is shown as having three ports 16 a, substantialbenefit may be derived from any number of ports 16 a. Ideally, the ports16 a may be appropriately sized so that they are less visible when thefilter portion 12 of the electronic cigarette 10 is viewed from adistance or viewed at an angle, thereby allowing the electroniccigarette 10 to look more like a traditional cigarette.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thefilter 12 of the electronic cigarette 10 may have ports 16 b (referredto generically as ports 16) comprising a plurality of small circularholes (see FIGS. 6 and 9).

The ports 16 may be positioned close to a center point of the filter 12(see FIGS. 1-6) or, in the alternative, the ports 16 may be positionedclose to a perimeter of the filter 12 (see FIGS. 7-9). The closer theports 16 are to the perimeter of the filter 12, the wider dispersion ofvapor results.

The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein.Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the relevant art, and generic principles defined hereincan be applied to other embodiments. All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the various embodiments describedthroughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known tothose of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporatedherein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims.Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to thepublic.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic cigarette having: a body containinginternal components of the electronic cigarette; a filter portioncoupled to a proximal end of the body; an end piece coupled to a distalend of the body; and a plurality of ports defined by the filter portion.2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the plurality of portstogether form a circular pattern on the filter portion.
 3. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the plurality of ports areequally spaced apart.
 4. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein theplurality of ports are positioned proximate to an outer perimeter of thefilter portion.
 5. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein theplurality of ports are positioned proximate to a center point of thefilter portion.
 6. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein theplurality of ports further comprises a plurality of elongated slits. 7.The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the elongated slits arecurved.
 8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofports further comprises a plurality of small circular holes.
 9. Anelectronic cigarette having: a body containing internal components ofthe electronic cigarette; a filter portion coupled to a proximal end ofthe body; an end piece coupled to a distal end of the body; and aplurality of ports defined by the filter portion; wherein the pluralityof ports together form a circular pattern on the filter portion.
 10. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 9 wherein the plurality of ports arepositioned proximate to an outer perimeter of the filter portion. 11.The electronic cigarette of claim 9 wherein the plurality of ports arepositioned proximate to a center point of the filter portion.
 12. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 9 wherein the plurality of ports furthercomprises a plurality of curved elongated slits.
 13. The electroniccigarette of claim 9 wherein the plurality of ports further comprises aplurality of small circular holes.
 14. An electronic cigarette having: abody containing internal components of the electronic cigarette; afilter portion coupled to a proximal end of the body; an end piececoupled to a distal end of the body; and a plurality of ports defined bythe filter portion; wherein the plurality of ports are adapted todiffuse and volumize vapor inhaled from the body of the electroniccigarette.
 15. The electronic cigarette of claim 14 wherein theplurality of ports are configured to be less visible when the filterportion of the electronic cigarette is viewed at an angle.
 16. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 14 wherein the plurality of ports furthercomprises three curved elongated slits positioned proximate to a centerpoint of the filter portion.
 17. The electronic cigarette of claim 16wherein the elongated slits are positioned approximately 2.00 mm fromthe center point of the filter portion.
 18. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 17 wherein the elongated slits have a width of approximately 0.50mm, the elongated slits have a length of approximately 2.0 mm. andwherein the filter portion of the electronic cigarette has a diameter ofapproximately 8.0 mm.
 19. The electronic cigarette of claim 14 whereinthe plurality of ports further comprises three curved elongated slitspositioned proximate to an outer perimeter of the filter portion. 20.The electronic cigarette of claim 14 wherein the plurality of portsfurther comprises a plurality of small circular holes positionedproximate to an outer perimeter of the filter portion.